House Republicans have urged the Justice Department to investigate former special counsel Jack Smith. They accuse him of making false statements about efforts to obtain phone records of lawmakers. House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, representing Ohio, claims that Smith deliberately provided misleading information during his testimony under oath last December.
The criminal referral of Smith marks another instance where Trump’s administration and allies pursue individuals involved in past investigations against him. Previously, the Justice Department attempted to prosecute former FBI Director Jim Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. On social media, Trump expressed approval of the referral with a post stating, ‘Justice at last???’
Smith, who previously led the Justice Department’s public integrity unit, conducted two criminal investigations into Trump. These involved alleged interference in the 2020 election and the handling of classified materials at Mar-a-Lago. Both cases concluded without trials as Trump won the 2024 election and returned to office.
Smith’s legal team issued a response, defending his honesty in last year’s congressional hearings. Lawyers Lanny Breuer and Peter Koski emphasized Smith’s commitment to facts and the law, labeling the referral as an attack on a nonpartisan public servant.
Rep. Jamie Raskin, a prominent Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, criticized the referral. He argued it misrepresented facts and would not hold up in court. Raskin stated Republicans never directly questioned Smith on the pertinent issue, undermining their accusations of dishonesty.
The disputed testimony involves subpoenas for phone records linked to lawmakers’ communications with White House officials. Smith’s prosecution team also obtained text messages from the National Archives. Smith’s lawyers argue that the Republicans did not ask Smith about these specifics, accusing them of wanting retroactive disclosure.
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